#Lee!Ajax

[skylarstark4826]

I absolutely loved this beautiful publication of the Wednesday Addams series of the Enijax ship of the Enid Sinclair and Ajax Petropolus characters together and above all because I absolutely love that in it they have made a tickling fic of the Netflix Wednesday Addams series of the Enid and Ajax characters together and above all because both look absolutely beautiful and romantic and also and above all because I really hope we can see them together again in season 2 and also because I really would have liked that we had seen them together and had this same scene between the 2 together in season 1

By the way, these beautiful Fanarts of them are not mine and the credits are not for me, but I will let you know that right here I will leave you the link of the real creator on Tumblr

[leeflms]

𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐃𝐄 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐍𝐒

minors DNI.

warnings: NSFW, FEM reader, Unprotected sex, Creampie, Praise kink

NSFW UNDER THE CUT

-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥

Childe who loves to spoil you to death with gifts. Because of his status as a Harbinger, he's often gone for quite a long time, probably off to another nation. That's why he sends you gifts and letters.

Childe who loves teasing you in public. And by teasing, that means hand grazing over your thigh and whispering naughty things to your ear. He just can't help it, not when you look so cute with a flustered expression as he tells you how he plans on fucking you later.

Childe who's extremely possessive of you and gets easily jealous. One time he saw you talking to one of his subordinates, laughing and getting touchy with them. The Harbinger approached the two of you, sneaking a hand around your waist and pulling you close to him. He gives his subordinates a small smile, probably a sign for them to kindly fuck off and go away.

Childe who loves it whenever you say his name. Whether it be 'Ajax', 'Childe', or 'Tartaglia', as long as it's you calling his name, he'll start smiling widely.

He loves it even more when you're whimpering and moaning out his name while he fucks you senseless. Oh, he's so mean for pounding into your tight cunt, hips moving at a fast pace as he tries to chase his climax, turning you into a sobbing mess, all the while he whispers sweet nothings to you.

"Yeah.. That's it.. F-Fuckk, my pretty girl is taking me so well.."

Childe who promised he'd be gentle but ends up putting you in a mating press, your legs pressed to your chest, his cock was repeatedly hitting your sweet spot and you could feel you were about to cum.

Childe who gets so needy and whiny when he's about to cum. He starts fucking you hard, leaning to you and nuzzling his face into your neck. "Holy shit— Fuck— Please," He breathed out. Childe doesn't even have any idea what he's saying anymore, he's too fucked out to think properly.

"Please, baby— Please.. let me cum inside you…" He begged.

Childe who has so much stamina, he doesn't just stop at 1 round. You don't know how many times you've come, you're all messed up, there's cum seeping out of your wet pussy. Before you even know it, Childe pushes back in his already hard cock, earning a loud moan from you.

"Just one more, yeah? You're doing so good for me.." Childe cooed, planting a kiss on your forehead as he started to thrust into you slowly. He's said that ten times now. 'One more round' would always end up with him cumming inside you for the 9th time now.

[gabe-76]

Tickletober 2024 - Day 17: Underwater (Tartali)

"Get on the water, Zhongli!"

[lovelynim]

hello! congrats on 1k followers! may i ask for lee!childe lee!zhongli, any spot is fine!

-sicklytuff 🥸

Hello anons!!

Thank you for requesting for my precious ginger and his dragon bf because I miss them a lot, hahaha. Also, to the last anon, I hope you don't mind me smushing you together with the other

Zhongli was perplexed, amazed even. His hands would almost meet each other if he placed one on each side, almost as if it was made in the perfect size to be grabbed. Still, it would be a little easier if Tartaglia wasn’t squirming so much. “X-Xiahahansheng! AHAHa, it tihihickles!”

“I’m not tickling you,” Zhongli explained softly, his thumbs brushing against Tartaglia’s waist, pressing into the spot as he tried to make his fingers touch. “Your waist… it’s so small, it almost fits inside my grip.” He muttered, digging his fingers into said spot as if to highlight his point.

“I-it’s nohohot!!” Tartaglia laughed, holding Zhongli’s wrists as hard as he could, hoping he would somehow manage to get his hands away. Tartaglia’s cheeks burned bright red as he heard Zhongli’s remarks about his slim waist - it was definitely something good to be praised about, but this was not the context he imagined for such praise.

[italeean]

Endurance training

You can find the plot here

A/N: Hiiiii!! Guys you have NO IDEA of how excited I am for this fic... like, an x reader??? WITH MY HUSBAND?!!!! Anon, chiunque tu sia, ti amo 💚🤍❤️ (Anon, whoever you are, I love you). I hope you all enjoy this work, suggestions and support are always appreciated 🌸 Happy July everyone!!

DISCLAIMER: This is a tickle fic, if it's not to your taste, I don't suggest you read it

Every day just felt the same: waking up at 4 AM, going on a run, shower, light breakfast, training, lunch, more training, dinner and sleep. That was the merciless routine y/n has had ever since they decided to join the Fatui ranks as a recruit. And the worst part was him.

Tartaglia, Childe, the 11th Harbinger and also their direct superior. He was the Harbinger responsible for their training, and y/n was destined to be one of his soldiers, under his command. If they wanted to have a future as something more than a simple soldier, they needed to make themselves known, they needed to be bold and daring if they wanted to impress him.

But how do you impress someone who's so fearless and self-confident that he fights with the weapon he has most trouble using?! (And he's also a pro at it)

The answer was completely unknown to them. They just knew they needed to make him notice them and see their potential. Because they had potential... right..? There was no time to be insecure, they had the skills and the desire to learn and reach higher and higher goals.

That's why they trained almost to exhaustion, paying attention not to burn themselves out to avoid missing out on important training session just because their body was too strained to even get up, and eventually their work paid off because the Harbinger decided to follow their progress with special attention, which included private combat lessons after the regular training with all the other recruits.

The two of them got closer with time, and y/n slowly got used to Childe's reckless and sometimes flirty personality. He was brilliant when it came to combat skills, although he had some lacunae in the topic of strategizing, but they saw him as a model anyway, and they strived to impress him.

However, they felt like they lacked something in their style. Their shape was perfect, their movements were fluid, their reflexes were quick... and still, the Harbinger always took them down in any kind of combat with any kind of weapon without even breaking a sweat during their training sessions.

"You're too rigid," He always told her "you should try to have more fun. Be bold, unpredictable. You're always on the defensive so your style gets predictable in the long run." Those words stung a little, but y/n knew he was right... they had to be more daring, even at the cost of making mistakes.

They quickly got up and charged at the Harbinger with the intent of tackling him to the ground... only to find their hands blocked before they could even register what was happening.

Childe was standing in front of them with his usual smug smile. "That's already much better, although we'll need to work on your speed. Now, if you manage to grab your opponents hands like I did with you, you have many possibilities." He got both y/n's hands into one of his own, "Like a headbutt, a kick to make the opponent fall and bring the fight to the ground, or you can assess a punch to the stomach, right here..."

His free hand darted to the mentee's belly to show them the exact spot to hit... but when he poked the area, he was surprised by the startled yelp that left y/n's lips. "Oh? Is there something wrong? Did it hurt? It wasn't supposed to hurt... did you strain a muscle? You've been doing the stretching routine I gave you, right?" He looked at them with a worried but stern look on his face as he let go of their hands.

"Of course I did!" Y/n replied quickly "It didn't actually hurt... it just... umm... startled me! Anyway... I'm starting to feel fatigued now, I think it's better to do the stretching and wrap things up here for today..."

Childe nodded and smiled "It's good that you're learning to understand the signals of your body, it can save your life in battle... unless you're me, in that case, fatigue isn't a thing for me." He boasted playfully and started to leave, letting y/n do the stretching on their own. Y/n breathed a sigh of relief... luckily he had bought her excuse.

'Who do they think they're kidding?' Tartaglia thought to himself. And he was right, who did they think they were kidding? He was a big brother, he could detect a lie from a mile, especially when it came to being ticklish.

The following day, the morning training went as usual, but when they headed to the training arena in the evening, a little surprise awaited them. The Harbinger was standing there with a mischievous, almost ominous smirk on his face.

"Today we'll have a special training session to improve your stamina and strength." He began "It's very effective, and I can guarantee you that you'll feel loosened up after I'm done wi- I mean, after we're done." He chuckled, cooing internally at y/n's confused expression.

He gave them a wooden stick, "You'll have to keep it raised above your head for as long as you can." He told them. The instructions were simple enough, and the mentee did immediately as they were told, although they found that training unexpectedly easy... almost excessively simple.

"Umm... shall we pass to something heavier..?" They asked perplexed after a couple of minutes. "Don't be cocky now, you're about to find out how hard this exercise can get..." He got closer to them, cracking his knuckles.

Y/n gulped at the thought of what was about to happen, because they didn't know. Probably not even the Tsartitsa herself knew how ruthless the training to become a Fatuus could get. They had to keep their guard high, be ready for the worst...

But they weren't ready for the storm of pokes that descended on their torso, making them yelp and squirm and jump left and right. "Wha- aaaahhehehehe w-whahat are yohou doiiing???" "Oh can't you tell by yourself? I'm tickling you!! I'm sure it has happened to you before! Now you better keep that stick up~" He teased as his hands went to town all over their poor tummy, toned by all those days of training.

"Hahahahaha h-hohohow dihihid yohou-"

"How did I know? Dear, I'm an older brother... did you really thought you had fooled me with your little act and your little excuse?" He chuckled as he poked y/n's abs and pinched their sides. "Now, don't you think you deserve this also as a punishment for lying to me, your superior AND your dear mentor?"

"Nooooohohoho thihihis ihihisn't fahahahair!!" The mentee complained as they succumbed to the giggles.

"This is endurance training, it isn't supposed to be fair. Now gather up and endure, that stick is shaking too much." He latched onto their ribs with both hands, enjoying the shriek that left y/n's lips as he played with their ribcage as if it was a piano.

"GAHAHAHAHAHAHA STOHOHOP IT!!" Y/n yelled on top of their lungs as their sensitive ribs were playfully tormented. "Or else what? I should remind you that I'm the one in charge here, so you're in no position to bark orders." The redhead replied with his usual amount of wit and sass as he kept having fun with his mentee's ribs.

Poor y/n could feel their legs shaking, but they did their best to fight the urge to curl over themselves... with scarce results apparently, because Tartaglia corrected them. "Your posture is incorrect, I'm gonna have to correct you, I suppose..."

And by 'correct' he meant scribbling all over their back and watch them yelp and arch it into a more correct position. "That's what I'm talking about... and I gotta admit that you're lasting surprisingly long given how much you're laughing and squirming... I guess I'll have to go for the kill..."

As he said that, his hands shot up to y/n's underarms, delicately scratching the skin with all his 10 fingers. "WAAAAHAHAHAEHEHEHEHE NOHOHOHOHO PLEHEAHAHAHSE!!" The trainee couldn't handle it anymore and let go of the stick as their knees gave out and they crumbled to the ground, trying to curl up in a ball as those devious, nimble fingers followed every single movement of theirs.

"IHIHIHI GIHIHIHIVEHEHE!! IHIHI GIVEHEHEHEHEHE UHUHUHUHUP!!!" They scream-laughed desperately when the tickling got too much to handle, and were relieved that the Harbinger decided to be merciful and stop the tickling.

After they recovered from that merciless attack (yes, he recognized he'd been a little merciless), he looked at them still with his smug face. "Well? What do you think about this endurance training?"

"Endurance training?! You call this torture a training session?!" They exclaimed in embarrassment, which made him snicker. "I think you should endure a little bit of punishment for lying to me about your ticklishness..." He slowly approached them again.

"I loved this training session!!" Y/n quickly replied with a terrified smile. Maybe (MAYBE) they had fun, but going through all of that again was really too much. "See? That's what I'm talking about!" He chirped, "I bet you're much more relaxed and laid back after laughing so much... but you're right, this was no training. I just wanted to have my fun while loosening you up."

"You WHAT?!" The poor mentee exclaimed completely astonished. "Aaaww are you gonna pretend you didn't like this even a little? Fine, I guess... get up and get your revenge!"

Y/n quickly got up and charged at their mentor, determined to take him down and 'make him pay'.

They never managed to get their revenge... on the contrary, they got wrecked again, but Childe also told them that he'd never seen them fight so well, without the usual rigidity. That 'endurance training' had really managed to loosen them up.

[lupins-hehim-pussy]

There was a joke in the Wriothesley Not-Birthday arc that didn't make the cut but it basically was someone being like "YOU WERE SKINNY??" when looking at Sigewinne's toddler pictures with her dad (Neuvillette is the one taking them, obviously). And Wriothesley is like "I was in the hospital for like a month. No shit."

[daily-ajax]

✨ From her story, to history. ✨

[smbhax]

From "The Origin of Daredevil" in Daredevil #1, April 1964. Stan Lee script, Bill Everett pencils & inks, Steve Ditko & Sol Brodsky ink assists, Sam Rosen letters. Original colorist unknown.

[mel-rhodes-place]

IS A SPLIT COMING IN THE SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP?

(Picture credit: https://www.reddit.com/r/ukpolitics/comments/1e4hcl3/how_keir_starmer_was_quick_to_court_donald_trump/?rdt=48858) Margaret Thatcher once said that the great lesson of the twentieth century was that, when Britain and America stood together, they always win.   She was a Conservative prime minister and one of the greatest Britain ever had.  Now, under Starmer, things are very…

[saturnsconstellation]

Rita Lee escreveu “Erva Venenosa” para Dorcas Meadowes eu sei por que ela mesmo me contou

[vcutparis]

jongsan and reader witnessing unsolicited 18+ hwa

away with the wind | twilight

Pairing: dragonrider!Seonghwa x ex-dragonrider!Reader AU: dragon rider au | strangers -> lovers Summary: a spinal injury forces you to retire from dragon racing, and with it, the end of your engagement to Song Mingi. Park Seonghwa, a rising star in the world of dragon racing and heir to the prestigious House Park, seeks a new dragon after an unfortunate accident on the skyway. As the saying goes, “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.” Word Count: 6.8K (sorry I got carried away) Warnings: not proofread, seonghwa doing wrongs, angst

a/n: first version of chapter ix! i was also watching derry girls while writing this so listen to 'independent love song' by scarlet if you wanna get the feel for the last scene of this chapter

Fic Masterlist

The grand chamber was dimly lit, the only sources of light being the flickering holographic displays and the soft glow of the council members’ robes. The air was thick with anticipation as the council awaited the presentation.

“Ready whenever you are, Dr. Kang,” Lord Hong announced, his voice resonating through the chamber.

Yeosang, standing beside the holographic projector, bowed respectfully. He took a moment to adjust the hologram, ensuring every detail of Ajax’s anatomy was perfectly visible. The room fell silent as the intricate projection came to life, displaying the necropsy report for Subject 4201.

“Necropsy report for Subject 4201. Subject is a male, approximately 11 years old, measuring 20 feet in height with a wingspan of 40 feet. Initial examination reveals extensive claw marks along the dorsal scales, likely from recent combat.”

Yeosang zoomed in on the damage inflicted by Starshine during the Inferno Cup. Lady Lee brought her hand to her mouth in feigned horror, prompting Yeosang to roll his eyes at her theatrics. He then brought up the next holographic display.

Swiping over to the dragon’s head, Yeosang brought forward the manifestation of Ajax’s brain, enhancing the size of the organ for the Council’s scrutiny. 

“The brain shows signs of abnormal growth in the amygdala, the region associated with aggression and fear responses. This hypertrophy suggests heightened aggression and unstable behavior. Further examination of the neural pathways reveals signs of synaptic plasticity, which may indicate a history of adaptive responses to high-stress environments. This could result in unpredictable and erratic behavior patterns.”

“Is this a common trait in Longhorns, Dr. Kang?” Lord Kim interjected.

Yeosang maintained his composed demeanor, though he felt slightly irritated at Lord Kim’s prodding. Taking a moment to gather his thoughts, he ensured his tone remained respectful yet authoritative. 

“While hypertrophy in the amygdala is not uncommon in Longhorns, the extent of the growth observed here is unusual,” he explained, his voice steady. “Further studies are necessary to determine if this is an isolated case or indicative of a broader trend within the species.”

Lord Kim nodded, the soft rustle of his robes barely audible as he leaned back in his chair. Yeosang then moved on to the next hologram, which flickered to life, casting a light that manifested into Ajax above their heads.

“In summary, subject 4201 exhibits significant physiological power and complexity,” Yeosang began, his voice steady and clear. The hologram displayed intricate details of the dragon’s anatomy, each scale and muscle rendered with precision. “I’ve concluded that the observed unpredictable behavior indicates potential neurological instability. End of report.”

Chairman Jang’s eyes narrowed as he leaned forward, the light catching the sharp angles of his face. “And the report of parentage?” he asked.

Yeosang adjusted the hologram, bringing up a new set of data. “The DNA test results showed no significant anomalies, your grace. The dragon’s genetic makeup is consistent with what we have documented in our archives. There are no indications of any unusual lineage or mutations.”

Lord Kim studied him for a moment, his gaze penetrating. “Are you certain, Dr. Kang? This information is crucial to understanding where this Longhorn may have originated from.”

Yeosang nodded, maintaining his calm facade. “Yes, your grace. I am certain. The DNA results confirm that this dragon is of standard lineage.”

“Lord Kim, we have all the information we need. Continuing this investigation is a waste of our resources and time,” Lady Lee snapped, her voice sharp and echoing slightly in the grand council room.

“We need to be thorough,” Lord Kim insisted, his tone unwavering. The flickering light from the hologram cast shadows across his stern face, highlighting the furrow in his brow.

“The dragon’s physiology and neurological state are well-documented. We have other priorities that demand our attention,” she countered, her words heavy with urgency.

Lord Hong nodded in agreement, the soft rustle of his robes breaking the silence. “Lady Lee is right. We are diverting valuable time and effort. This report should be concluded.” His voice was measured, a stark contrast to the rising tension between his colleagues.

“If Dr. Kang has reported no abnormalities in his findings, then we must move on to the next agenda item,” Chairman Jang interjected with finality. “Thank you for your time, Dr. Kang.”

The room fell silent, the air thick with unresolved conflict. Yeosang remained silent, grateful that the focus had shifted away from his lie, but acutely aware of the brewing storm between the Council members.

“Would it be possible for the copies of the report to be made available, Dr. Kang?” Lord Kim interjected, his eyes boring into Yeosang, challenging him to reveal the truth.

Yeosang hesitated, his fingers trembling slightly as he adjusted his glasses. “The report is rather unremarkable, your grace,” he replied coldly, staring straight at the elder.

Lord Hong’s eyes narrowed. “Is there a problem, Dr. Kang? The Council has a right to see the report.”

Yeosang tightened his jaw, feeling the tension ripple through his muscles as the Council’s insistence caught him off guard. His irritation simmered just beneath the surface, barely contained.

“Of course, I will ensure the report is made available,” he said smoothly, his voice dripping with false sincerity, masking the venom beneath. “I just need a little more time to… finalize some details.”

“Finalize what details? Are you implying that this report today was not conclusive?” Lord Kim’s voice was cold and unyielding, each word a deliberate challenge.

Yeosang’s eyes flashed with annoyance, but he quickly masked it with a calm facade. “I assure you, Lord Kim, the report is thorough. However, there are always minor adjustments to be made for clarity.”

Kim Sangjoong’s gaze hardened, his suspicion evident. “Minor adjustments? Or are you buying time to cover up discrepancies, Dr. Kang?”

“That’s enough,” Chairman Jang’s voice concluded, the tone unmistakable, leaving no room for argument. “Dr. Kang, you have until the end of the day to produce copies of the report to the Council.”

Yeosang felt a surge of anger but forced a smile. “I understand your concern, Lord Kim. Rest assured, the report will be delivered by the end of the day, as requested.” His tone was polite, but the underlying threat was present.

The room remained tense, the air thick with unspoken conflict. Yeosang knew he had to tread carefully, but he relished the challenge.

Seonghwa strode through the hallways of the Park estate, his footsteps echoing off the marble floors as he awaited the results of Ajax’s necropsy from Kim Sangjoong. The grandeur of the estate, with its high ceilings and ornate decorations, did little to calm his racing thoughts.

“Ms. Jang,” he called out, his voice calm yet authoritative. His mother’s assistant looked up from her desk, immediately recognizing him. She adjusted her glasses and gave him a polite nod.

“Yes, your grace?” she asked, her tone respectful but familiar.

“I need a list of all the attendees from the Inferno Gala,” he requested, his eyes scanning the room. “Sponsors, stakeholders, riders—everything.”

Ms. Jang nodded and quickly began typing on her laptop. The soft clacking of keys filled the room as Seonghwa paced back and forth, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts. He glanced at the clock on the wall, each tick amplifying his impatience.

After a few moments, Ms. Jang handed him a sleek tablet. “Here it is, your grace,” she said. “The complete list.”

Seonghwa took the tablet and offered her a small smile in thanks. As he walked back to his quarters, he scanned the names, noting familiar faces and new ones, the organizations they represented, and the teams they raced for. Each name brought back memories of conversations, deals, and promises made. He needed to ensure that every attendee was accounted for and that no detail was overlooked.

“Treasure Holdings, Blue Bird Airways, Answer Tech,” Seonghwa muttered to himself, activating the hologram interface. These were big name sponsors in dragon racing and nothing seemed out of the ordinary. 

He swiped to the next category of Aurora’s political elite, scanning the list with a practiced eye. Names like Lady Baek and Lord Yoon stood out, both well-known figures in the political landscape. As he continued down the list, he reached members of the Council and their guests. Lord Hong Bum Soo and Lady Hong Sara, Chairman Jang Ki Young, Lord Kim Sangjoong and Lady Kim Miyeon–

She was never one to miss an event, especially one of this magnitude. He quickly re-scanned the rest of the list, hoping it was a mistake, but her name was nowhere to be found. Had she been deliberately excluded?

Lady Lee’s absence was not just unusual—it was a glaring anomaly. Taking out his phone, he dialed Kim Sangjoong, hoping for news of the necropsy report. The phone rang a few times before Lord Kim answered. “Seonghwa, what’s the matter?”

“I have news for you, should you have any to share with me,” Seonghwa said, his tone measured.

The elder chuckled softly, shaking his head. “I regret to inform you that the report returned without any anomalies. It was conclusive, indicating that the dragon is of standard lineage.”

“That can’t be,” Seonghwa said, his voice laced with disbelief. “Y/N showed me Ajax’s anatomy in video footage a few months ago. She noted that his angulation was much more moderate than a Longhorn’s, and his wings were longer. He also exhibited an unusual level of speed and agility.”

The elder’s eyes widened slightly. “That does sound…unnatural for the breed…” He paused, his gaze drifting out the large, arched window of his office. He noticed Lady Lee in conversation with a young lab assistant, her animated gestures contrasting with the assistant’s calm demeanor.

“Your grace?” Seonghwa’s voice brought him back to the present.

“Yes, apologies. Please continue.”

“I wanted to let you know that I pulled the guest list from the gala and noticed that Lady Lee was missing.”

The elder’s brow furrowed in concern. “That’s certainly odd. She never turns down an opportunity for an event given her rather…vainglorious nature. Her absence is highly unusual.” Lord Kim glanced at the ornate clock on the wall, noting the late hour. If he were to leave now, it would be an opportunity to learn more about Lady Lee’s next moves.

“It seems Lady Lee is just about to leave for the day,” Lord Kim informed the younger. “Thank you for the information, Seonghwa.” He quickly pocketed his phone and hurried towards the exit, his mind racing with possibilities. The corridors of the capitol building were beginning to empty as the day drew to a close, and he needed to act fast.

The soft murmur of conversations and the shuffle of footsteps filled the air, creating a symphony of end-of-day activity. The tension in the air was palpable, each step Lord Kim took echoing his urgency.

“Ah, Lady Lee! Will you be attending General Choi’s birthday celebration?” he called out, his voice cutting through the ambient noise, and scaring the lab assistant. The young man, not much older than 20, bowed before taking his leave. 

Lady Lee paled, her confident demeanor faltering for a moment. “O-Oh? Is that this weekend?” she stammered, her eyes darting around as if searching for an escape. She forced a smile, though it didn’t reach her eyes.

“I must have overlooked it. I’ve been quite busy with…personal matters,” Lady Lee said, her voice wavering slightly.

“Personal matters?” Lord Kim pressed, his curiosity piqued. “Well, I hope everything is alright.”

She hesitated, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her sleeve. “Yes, well, it’s nothing that concerns the council.”

Lord Kim nodded slowly, not entirely convinced. “I see. Well, I do hope you’ll make it to the celebration. Miyeon and I look forward to seeing you.”

“Thank you, Lord Kim. I appreciate your concern,” she replied, her voice steadying. 

As Lady Lee turned to leave, Lord Kim watched her closely. There was something off about her behavior, something that didn’t sit right with him. Her usually confident demeanor seemed strained, and her eyes darted around nervously. His mind raced with questions, each one more urgent than the last. What was she hiding? And why did it feel like time was running out?

[NEW MESSAGE]

[Lord Cash Money]: Results are in 

[Lord Cash Money]: Nothing out of standard

You let out a huff as you read Seonghwa’s message and sent back a quick ‘Thanks’. Dismounting Cirrus, you felt the cool leather of the saddle beneath your hands, but an uneasy feeling settled in your chest. You knew Ajax was definitely not half Fury, but something else entirely. The thought sent a chill down your spine at the implications of what his other half might be.

The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the manor as you helped Sohee down from the saddle. You slung her backpack over your shoulder, the weight a familiar comfort, and dialed the only person you knew you could vent to besides your grandmother and sister.

“I hate the government,” you said, balancing your phone between your shoulder and ear while you toed off your shoes and hung up your niece’s backpack. The scent of oil pastels and dragon scales lingered in the air.

“Who doesn’t?” Jongho’s voice came through the line, gruff yet playful. You could almost picture his mischievous grin. What’s going on?” he asked, his tone shifting to one of curiosity and concern.

Choi Jongho was the oldest son of the Dune Choi Family and cousin to the Auroran Choi Family. Although they were considered one of Dune’s noble houses, your families had been breeding partners for as long as your grandmother could remember.

Jongho had always been like a little brother to you, his presence a constant in your life—a mix of annoyance and comfort that only a true sibling could provide. His sharp wit and the shared history between your families created a connection that was unbreakable, no matter how much he might drive you crazy at times.

“The test results came back conclusive. There’s nothing out of the ordinary with Ajax’s lineage.”

“Bullshit,” Jongho snapped, pacing his room. “I watched the footage you sent me, read through the pedigree, and everything seemed off. Someone’s tampering with the results.”

You nodded, frustration evident. “Exactly. I’m thinking there has to be something more nefarious in his lineage. Ajax has always been promoted as a hybrid between a Fury and a Longhorn, but I don’t think a Fury fits the bill. It has to be a breed that’s aerodynamic.”

Jongho furrowed his brow. “Aerodynamic, huh? That narrows it down a bit. Maybe something with a sleeker build? A Wyrm variant? Or a Razorback?”

You snickered. “Hongjoong is going to have your head if he hears that. But even those breeds don’t seem quite right. There has to be one that’s also intelligent. Ajax was somehow able to learn Cirrus’ maneuvers, and I know for a fact Mingi couldn’t have taught him that flip.”

Jongho sighed, massaging his brow. “I’ve always told you I didn’t like him nor his ugly dragon. I plan to set up shop in my uncle’s library and we can dig deeper when I’m in town. You’re coming to his celebration, right?”

You groaned, pulling your pillow to your chest. “Do I have a choice?”

“If you don’t, I’ll tell everyone you think San is handsome.”

Rolling your eyes, you retorted, “San is handsome. That doesn’t work on me anymore.”

Jongho smirked, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Fine, then I’ll tell everyone about the time you fell into the fountain trying to impress him.”

You gasped, sitting up abruptly. “Choi Jongho, you wouldn’t dare!”

The grand hall of the Choi Estate was a sight to behold, a testament to the family’s wealth and status. The walls were adorned with intricate tapestries depicting the family’s storied history, their vibrant colors and detailed embroidery telling tales of valor and honor. The atmosphere was one of celebration and reverence, as friends and family gathered to honor the Choi patriarch on his special day.

San’s father, the elder General Choi, greeted guests up and down the hall, offering glass after glass of champagne and other spirits. His laughter boomed through the room, a testament to his larger-than-life personality. You managed to dodge him, offering your grandmother as a sacrificial lamb as you slipped away, her knowing smile indicating she was more than willing to take one for the team.

You weaved through the crowd, feeling a bit out of place in your simple but elegant strapless black gown. Its understated design contrasted with the more extravagant attire around you, yet the gown’s classic cut and the way it hugged your figure made you feel confident and poised.

“Are you here for a funeral or a celebration?” a familiar voice quipped behind you.

You whipped around to find San, the young General Choi, clad in a perfectly tailored suit that accentuated his broad shoulders and commanding presence. The corners of his mouth twitched into a smirk as he took in your startled reaction.

“Very funny,” you replied, rolling your eyes but unable to suppress a smile. “I was just trying to avoid your father’s relentless hospitality.”

San chuckled, his laughter a deep, comforting sound. “He does have a way of overwhelming people with his enthusiasm,” he admitted, glancing over at his father, who was now engaged in a hearty conversation with a group of military officials. “Looking for someone?”

“Just a familiar face,” you murmured, your gaze drifting away from the General. You scanned the crowd, your heart pounding as you searched for a certain someone. Striking, charming, refined, and utterly infuriating, with an undeniable pull—a magnetic attraction you couldn’t ignore.

“Am I not a familiar face?” San cocked his head, giving you one of his infamous cat-like smiles.

“Yes, but you’re not the one I’m looking for,” you scoffed, hitting his arm playfully. 

San brought his hand to his chest, feigning a dramatic gasp. “And here I thought I was unforgettable.”

“You are, just not in the way you think.”

“Ah, so there is someone! Now I’m intrigued.”

Unbeknownst to you, a pair of dark eyes watched from a distance. Seonghwa’s jaw tightened at the sight of you engaging with San, his usually composed demeanor slightly ruffled. A flicker of annoyance crossed his features as he struggled to maintain his cool amidst the growing irritation.

Trying to maintain his composure, he excused himself and stepped out into the cool night air. The distant noise of the party faded behind him as he took a deep breath, struggling to make sense of his conflicting emotions. How could he be so torn over someone who didn't even know how he felt?

“Seonghwa?” a familiar voice called out, breaking his moment of solitude. He turned to see Yeri, a former fling, standing a few feet away. She offered a tentative smile, as her eyes widened in calculated interest. 

“Yeri,” he acknowledged, his voice neutral but with a hint of underlying tension. 

There was a brief, awkward silence before Yeri spoke again, her tone measured and deliberately soft. “It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

What had started as a casual, no-strings-attached situation between Seonghwa and Yeri had quickly turned into a short-lived romance riddled with miscommunication and trust issues. Seonghwa's demanding training schedule left Yeri feeling neglected and alone, while her need to maintain control on the crumbling relationship only added to the tension.

“Yeah, it has,” he agreed, his gaze drifting to the city lights beyond the terrace in an attempt to avoid the emotional weight of the conversation. 

“How’ve you been?” she asked, her tone smooth, almost tender though her eyes remained sharp.

“Fine,” he replied, his irritation from earlier slowly ebbing away, replaced by a different kind of tension.

She studied him for a moment, her expression thoughtful and probing. “You seemed a bit tense back there. Everything okay?”

Seonghwa sighed, leaning against the stone rail as his eyes wandered towards the grand hall, your figure only a few feet away from him. “Just… a lot on my mind, I guess.”

“Want to talk about it?” Yeri’s voice broke through his reverie, carrying a nostalgic note. 

He hesitated, then shook his head. “It’s not important.”

Yeri took a step closer, her gaze growing more intense as she searched his face for cracks in his resolve. “We used to share everything, remember? What happened to that?”

Despite their history, Yeri couldn't help but reach out to Seonghwa, feeding on his vulnerability to keep him tethered to her. "I know things ended badly, but we've both changed. Maybe we could give it another shot?"

Seonghwa’s emotions were a tangled mess as he looked into her pleading eyes. “You know that things weren’t good between us.”

Yeri took a step closer, her fingers lightly tracing the outline of his jaw. Her touch was gentle, almost tender, as she searched his eyes for any sign of resistance. “Why does being together have to be the only option?" she whispered. She leaned in, her breath warm against his skin, and her lips brushed against his.

Seonghwa knew it was wrong, but he just needed an escape, allowing himself to be drawn back into her orbit. The kiss lingered on his lips like a bittersweet memory as he pulled away, his eyes clouded with regret. “We can’t do this here,” he whispered, his voice barely audible.

She nodded, understanding the need for discreteness. They walked in silence, the tension between them almost tangible as Seonghwa led them away from prying eyes. He couldn’t shake the feeling that he was losing himself in the process, compromising his values for a fleeting moment of solace.

“There you two are,” Jongho interrupted, sidling up to you and San with a glass of whiskey in hand. His eyes sparkled with mischief as he took a sip.

“Finally decided to grace us with your presence,” you teased, unable to hide the smile that spread across your face. Then, your brow furrowed in concern. “Wait, aren’t you too young to be drinking alcohol?”

In a rebellious gesture, Jongho lifted the glass again and finished off the remaining whiskey before sticking his tongue out at you playfully. “Age is just a number,” he retorted, letting out a satisfied sigh. 

“I’m using this as an opportunity to network and improve diplomatic relations between Dune and Aurora,” he added with a mischievous grin, gesturing around the opulent room filled with dignitaries engaged in animated conversations.

San rolled his eyes at his younger cousin's antics. “I wouldn’t exactly call selling dragons a networking opportunity,” he remarked dryly.

“I’m just trying to keep the family business afloat,” the younger Choi chuckled, unaffected by his cousin's skepticism. 

Before you or San could respond, the room fell silent as Song Tae Gyu entered, his face unreadable. The grand hall, once filled with lively chatter and laughter, now buzzed with hushed whispers. Snippets of conversation about “Mingi,” “the Council,” and “unstable dragon” floated through the air like a dark cloud.

“Song Tae Gyu has some nerve showing up after what his son pulled,” Jongho sneered, his gaze fixed on Mingi’s father with a stone-cold expression. Ever the purist, Jongho’s disdain was palpable. You could almost feel the weight of his contempt for the way the Songs had let their son disgrace their house and the sanctity of dragon racing.

“He’s simply carrying out his duties to my father,” San reminded his cousin, his voice composed despite the discomfort evident in his body language. He glanced around the room, noting the wary eyes and cautious glances directed at Song Tae Gyu. “I know the Songs feel terrible about the incident, but as a vassal House, they have their obligations.”

San’s words were measured, but you could sense the underlying tension. The incident with Mingi had cast a momentary shadow over the evening, and the presence of Song Tae Gyu only served to deepen the unease. 

“Ah, Tae Gyu! So glad you could make it!” the elder General Choi exclaimed, clapping a hand on the man’s shoulder. “I was just telling everyone about the time you and I got lost in the ravine and had to spend the night in a cave. Remember that?”

The room erupted in laughter as Lord Choi recounted the tale with exaggerated gestures, painting a vivid picture of their misadventure. Even Song Tae Gyu managed a small, grateful smile, the worry lines on his face softening.

Jongho rolled his eyes but couldn’t suppress the small grin tugging at his lips. He took a sip from his glass, the warm liquid sliding down his throat as he mulled over his father's words. "Your father always knows how to lighten the mood," he muttered to San before turning to face you, swirling his empty glass in a playful gesture to signal his exit from the conversation.

“I’ll be around tomorrow if you want to dig through the records. I’m sure we’ll find something on that wannabe Longhorn.”

“What did you say?”

“Nothing, just bullshitting.”

“No! About the wannabe part.”

Jongho stared at you incredulously. "He's a poor example of the breed, just like how his rider is a poor excuse--"

The mention of the word "wannabe" caught your attention like a firework exploding in your mind. You could feel your heart racing as you frantically searched your knowledge for any clues about this breed.

Wannabe… Imitation… Copy… The word echoed in your mind, reverberating with increasing intensity. Your breath caught in your throat, and your heart began to race as you frantically sifted through your mental catalog of dragon breeds and their levels of intelligence.

Dreamwood Ridgeback, biddable with high emotional intellect… Cascade Wyvern, alert and confident… Star Fury, fiercely intelligent but too rare… Nettled…

A sudden realization hit you like a bolt of lightning. You turned sharply to face San, your eyes widening with urgency and determination. "Do you have a copy of a breed encyclopedia?" You could almost feel the gears turning in your head, piecing together the clues and making connections. It was all starting to make sense now.

San looked momentarily puzzled, his brow furrowing as he tried to process your sudden question. Before he could respond, Jongho stepped in with a confident grin. “Of course they do, I left one here to read during summers,” he said, patting San’s shoulder in a playful yet slightly condescending manner, acknowledging his older cousin’s limited mental acuity.

“Longhorns aren’t meant to be particularly intelligent,” you began, your voice steady but urgent. “But if Ajax was able to learn Cirrus’ maneuvers, there could only be one breed that matches the description.”

The three of you exchanged tense looks, the weight of the mystery pressing down on you. Without another word, you all turned and rushed out of the hall, each step bringing you closer to uncovering the truth.

You were met with the scent of aged paper and polished wood as San pushed open the library doors. You couldn't help but pause to take in the vast collection, your fingers tracing lightly over the spines of leather-bound books before delving deeper into the labyrinth of shelves. Lost in your admiration, you turned a corner and suddenly froze.

There, in a secluded nook, you found Seonghwa tangled up in the arms of a woman. The intimate scene was a stark contrast to the peaceful setting of the library. Your breath caught in your throat, and your heart pounded in your chest.

“Oh shit!” you gasped, the words slipping out before you could stop them. Your hands flew to cover your mouth as Seonghwa and Yeri sprang apart, their faces flushed with embarrassment. Seonghwa’s eyes darted toward yours, panic evident in his expression. 

San, ever the protector, rushed to your side and positioned himself between you and the unexpected sight. For a moment, no one moved. The silence was deafening, broken only by Jongho’s approaching footsteps. 

“Gods, I’m so s-sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt!” you stammered, your voice attempting to sound casual despite the hurt and confusion swirling within you. Why am I feeling this way, you wondered, the question demanding an answer that you can't give. 

You had always kept your relationship with Seonghwa strictly professional, despite the occasional flutter of emotions. Yet, seeing him with someone else stirred something unexpected within you. Was it jealousy? Or something deeper that you hadn’t acknowledged before? The thought unsettled you, adding another layer to the already tangled web of emotions you felt towards him. 

“I-I can explain–,” Seonghwa fumbled as he buttoned his shirt, the movements clumsy and rushed. He haphazardly threw his jacket back on, the fabric wrinkling under his frantic efforts. Yeri, equally flustered, tried to smooth her disheveled hair, her cheeks burning with shame. 

“We were just catching up. It’s been a long time since we last saw each other.” Her voice was shaky, betraying her own discomfort. 

“Well,” San began, addressing Seonghwa and Yeri. “If I had known the library would be used like this, I would have extended some charity to our esteemed guests.” His tone was polite but edged with a steely resolve that left no room for argument. “I’m sure we have a room befitting his grace as it appears that he is in desperate need of a hiding place—like a rat scurrying back into its hole.”

Yeri's face erupts in a fiery flush of humiliation as she hangs her head in shame, unable to bear the insulting words from San. San raises an eyebrow, daring either of them to stand up to him. "I'm leaving," she mumbles, quietly excusing herself without saying another word. As she walked away, the oppressive tension lingered in the air.

“R-Right. Well, I need to borrow the breed encyclopedia, so if I could just…” You fidgeted awkwardly, your finger darting around as you tried to locate the book. Jongho, noticing your discomfort, pointed to the upper shelf behind the former lovers. 

“It’s right there,” he said, his voice cutting through the thick silence as Seonghwa stepped aside to let you through. His eyes, filled with guilt, followed your every move.

"You good?" San asked, his protective instincts kicking in.

“I’ve got it, I just have to climb up,” you replied, your tone firmer than you felt. 

You began taking off your heels, the action giving you a moment to collect yourself. The cool marble against your bare feet contrasted the heat of your emotions. Lifting the skirt of your gown, you prepared to climb the ladder to the upper shelves when you felt Seonghwa’s hand on your arm. The unexpected touch sent a shock through you, and his grip was gentle yet firm, silently pleading for attention.

"I'll do it," he insisted, speaking in a low and earnest voice. You paused, looking up at him, meeting his eyes. In that moment, the vulnerability in his gaze disarmed you, but the hurt and confusion still swirled within your mind. 

"Please.”

Reluctantly, you stepped aside, allowing him to retrieve the book. Each movement he made was careful and deliberate, as if he were trying to prove his worth through this small act. You watched him reach the upper shelf and retrieve the encyclopedia, its weight seemingly insignificant in his hands. 

San’s eyes darted between you and Seonghwa. He couldn’t make sense of why Seonghwa was so insistent on helping you, a rare display of protectiveness that went against his aloof nature. A knowing smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

Seonghwa handed you the book, his hand lingering for a moment longer than necessary, as if he wanted to say something more. His eyes held a silent plea, a desperate hope for a chance to explain himself, but your focus remained elsewhere, avoiding the intensity of his gaze.

“Thank you,” you murmured, clutching the book to your chest, its worn cover a small comfort as you put distance between yourself and Seonghwa. "I should get going," you suggested with exasperation evident in your voice. 

The intensity of the situation was suffocating, and you needed an escape. Without waiting for a response, you turned on your heel and walked away, each step feeling like a small victory against the turmoil that threatened to consume you. 

A wave of guilt washed over Seonghwa knowing that he was partially responsible for your sudden departure. His chest tightened and he clenched his fists, feeling the sting of his own actions. He stood there, paralyzed by the weight of his guilt, until San’s voice cut through the fog of his thoughts.

“I must say, your ability to find yourself in compromising situations never fails to impress me. It truly is a talent,” he remarked with mock admiration.

Seonghwa’s eyes flashed with anger as he spat out through gritted teeth, “And you seem to take great pleasure in reveling in another’s misfortune.” His voice was thick with venom, each word a dagger aimed at San.

“Isn’t that exactly what you were doing to Y/N?" San replied, his tone casual and unbothered, as if Seonghwa’s seething rage was nothing more than a mild inconvenience. 

Seonghwa opened his mouth to retort, but his words caught in his throat as his gaze fell to the ground. There, lying abandoned on the floor, were the heels you had left behind. The sight of them hit him like a punch to the gut–a reminder of your abrupt departure. His anger gave way as he walked over to pick up the shoes.

“I didn’t know,” he muttered, more to himself than to anyone else. “I didn’t mean to hurt her.”

“Well, she’ll be hurt more if she steps on a sharp object without any shoes on,” Jongho quipped dryly, his tone mixed with pragmatic concern. His eyes silently urged Seonghwa to go after you. 

Seonghwa stood there for a moment, clutching your heels, his mind racing. He couldn’t let you leave like this, not without explaining himself. Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he set out after you, determined to make things right.

“You did not fly all the way home without your heels,” Sunmi yawned, cradling Siwoo in her arms. Your nephew let out a string of babbles, his tiny face scrunched up as if he were reprimanding you for your forgetfulness.

“Just did,” you said with a shrug, lifting the skirt of your gown and wiggling your bare toes in the air. “I mean, it’s not like I planned to leave my heels there and honestly, I didn’t even notice until I got home,” you lied. 

Sunmi’s eyebrows knitted together in concern as she studied you. “What happened?” she asked, her voice softening. She shifted Siwoo to her other arm, his tiny head resting against her shoulder. The gentle rise and fall of his breathing seemed to mirror the rhythm of your own anxious heartbeats.

You sighed deeply, feeling the weight of the evening’s events, the exhaustion and emotional turmoil finally having caught up with you. “This happened,” you said, holding up the encyclopedia for her to see. The book felt heavy in your hands, not just in weight but in the significance of what it represented.

“I think I might’ve figured out the other half of Ajax’s pedigree. I didn’t have my own copy so I borrowed Jongho’s. I’m going to do some work,” you explained, determined to solve the mystery you’ve been chasing for months now. 

You retreated to your study, sliding into your desk chair. Your fingers trembled slightly as you flipped through the pages, each one filled with intricate illustrations and detailed descriptions of various dragon breeds. A sense of awe washed over you as you read through breeds, old and new—each more fascinating than the last. As you continued, your anticipation grew, until finally, your eyes landed on the page you were searching for. 

You studied the avian-looking dragon. Its sleek, streamlined body was adorned with grotesque feathers hanging from its gangly, mismatched wings. The large, bug-like eyes bulged with an eerie intelligence, giving the dragon an almost alien appearance. They stared back at you with a knowing, unsettling awareness. Its sharp, curved beak-like snout added to its avian resemblance, but instead of elegance, it exuded menace and predatory intent, as if ready to strike at any moment.

“Found you,” you whispered, a triumphant smile spreading across your face. Your mind raced with the implications of this discovery, the pieces of the puzzle finally coming together. As you scribbled notes on your scratch pad, thoughts of your job at the Institute surfaced; the resources and access you had there could be invaluable for digging deeper into the investigation and revealing the truth about Ajax. 

A sudden knock against your doorframe startled you from your thoughts. You blinked, momentarily readjusting your glasses to make sure you weren’t imagining things.

“Seonghwa?”

Seonghwa stood in the doorway to your office, the soft light from the lamp casting a glow that accentuated his sharp features and the depth in his eyes. The usual strands of his updo were windswept, adding a touch of wildness indicating that he wasted no time trying to find you. His tie hung loosely around his neck, its knot undone splayed over his chest–and your stilettos, with their long, thin heels hung from his hands. 

“You forgot these.” He held out the heels, his expression sheepish as his eyes darted between the shoes and your face. The contrast between his usually confident demeanor and the awkwardness of the gesture made him all the more endearing.

Your fingers brushed against his in a brief, electric touch. “Thank you,” you said, touched by his thoughtfulness. “You didn’t have to come all this way.”

He stepped closer, the scent of his cologne filling your senses, creating an intoxicating blend that heightened the tension between you. His eyes, usually so guarded, now held a vulnerability you’d never seen before.

“I realized I’d never see you again if I didn’t bring them,” he said, his words tumbling out quickly as if he feared losing the courage to say them. “And… I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

Seonghwa’s gaze lingered on you for a moment, taking in every detail of your appearance. He noticed your furrowed brow and the slight tilt of your head as you spoke. His eyes traced the curve of your neck to your collarbone, where the strapless black gown rested. The way the lamplight highlighted the contours of your features made him forget how to breathe.

“You haven’t changed out of your gown?” he asked, his voice softening with genuine curiosity and admiration.

You yawned and stretched slightly. “It’s too pretty to take off.”

“It suits you.” You felt a blush creep up your cheeks, and you looked away, trying to hide your smile.

“Guess I just didn’t want the night to end.” 

He took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling as he tried to steady himself. “I’m sorry, Y/N,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

You raised an eyebrow, feeling a knot form in your stomach. “What are you apologizing for?”

“I made a mess of things, and you got caught in the crossfire,” he confessed, his voice cracking. “Seeing you hurt because of what happened in the library has been eating away at me. I never, never meant to hurt you. It made me realize that I don’t want to lose you.”

His words hung in the air, heavy with regret and desperation. You could see the anguish in his eyes, the way his hands trembled slightly as he spoke. You looked down at the heels in your hands, feeling a swell of emotions rise within you before setting them down. 

“You’re only human, Seonghwa,” you said softly, despite the storm swirling within you. “We all make mistakes. What matters is that you’re here now, trying to make things right. So, thank you.”

You let the words settle between you before taking your own breath. “While you're here, I’m…thinking of going back to the Institute,” you say. “I think I’ve figured out Ajax’s missing half but I don’t think our case against the necropsy will be very effective if I don’t have access to all the necessary resources.” 

Seonghwa’s expression shifted from relief to a playful glint as he leaned in. “I bare my soul to you and you’re already leaving me?”

You scoffed. “I wouldn’t consider that soul baring,” you smiled, trying to ignore the flutter in your chest.

"Guess I'll have to visit you every day since you'll be close to the capitol," he murmured, his voice deep and teasing as he leaned in. “I don’t plan on letting you go back to Wooyoung that easily.” Seonghwa's hand takes hold of your face, his thumb sweeping across your jawline.

You welcomed his touch, yet the weight of your true feelings was almost too much to bear. A raw ache in your chest served as a painful reminder: Seonghwa was not yours, and he never would be. You had accepted this, even if it stung more than you were willing to admit. 

<< viii | daylight | x >>

taglist: @litolmochi @syubseokie @park-simphwa @szakias

[keru0]

Tickletober 2024

Day 1: Good Night

Ler!Zhongli x Lee!Childe

=============================================

Zhongli was what some may call an easy sleeper. He generally has an easy time falling asleep, able to push all of his worries and thoughts to the side for a few hours each night to fall into tranquil darkness. Except for right now.

The problem was the mound of blanket next to him in bed that seemed to move and fidget every few seconds, tossing and turning in the quiet night. It had been a few hours since Childe and himself got into bed, so why wasn’t he asleep?

*   *   *

Childe was the opposite of Zhongli in almost every way. The older man was quiet, demure, almost invisible if he wanted to be, while Ajax was loud, chaotic, and could be easily spotted from a mile away, whether from his Snezhnayan wardrobe or his boisterous laughter and attitude, no one could miss the ginger if he walked past.

He was also the opposite in that he could never sleep. Plagued with nightmarish memories or a frightful imagination of what may happen to his family, his stress was always under the surface, and no matter how tightly locked up he kept it, it always leaked out when it came time to go to sleep, and now was no exception.

Mumbling to himself, almost whimpering, the harbinger tossed and turned in the middle of the night, trying to stave off the anxieties he always tried to hide, that is, until he felt a hand on his shoulder, and a soft voice behind him.

“Childe?” Zhongli asked quietly, rubbing soothing circles into the freckled shoulder. “What’s the matter?”

Childe swallowed thickly, letting out a long, quiet sigh as he turned around under the covered, meeting his lover face-to-face. “Sorry…was I disturbing your rest, Baobei?”

The other let out a soft sigh, worrying his lip with his teeth. “No, Ajax. But please, what are you still doing up? Do you wish to talk about it?” He tried to suggest, though knowing the man never talked about his troubles with others. So, it was no surprise when he was met with a shaking head.

“Ah- no, not really…” He answered quietly, looking down into the sheets, trying to hide from the man’s questioning gaze.

The ex-archon sighed fondly, shaking his head as he wrapped his tattooed arms around the younger, holding him tightly as his hands ghosted up and down his side and back. “That is quite alright, Childe. Come here…”

Childe flinched away from the touch, into the man’s chest as the hands gently fluttered over his scarred flesh, giggling as he did so. “Z-Zhonghlihihi-! Nohohoho…!” He whined.

A small, fond smile made its way onto the god’s lips, finding the laughter of his lover endearing, hoping to wear him out, to distract him so he can finally fall into the clutches of a peaceful rest. “If you wish not to talk about your feelings, Childe, then this will have to do.”

Childe let out giggles and pants, his face nuzzling into the strong chest infront of him as he put up with the light tickling, arms and legs instinctively curling around the older man. “Ehehehahaha! P-plehehase!”

Zhongli sighed, shaking his head as he leaned his head down to whisper into the reddening ear. “Just a few more minutes, love.”

The ‘few more minutes’ may have turned into ten, maybe half an hour, but by the time the slender hands finished their work on the blushing man, soft "good nights" were uttered before the room fell silent, and all that could be heard in the night were soft snores and gentle breathing as the two slept in each other’s arms, awaiting the light of morning.

[calqlate]

RE: LOVE & LIFE | THREE

— THOSE WHO SHARE THE MEMORY

SERIES MASTERLIST | PREVIOUS CHAPTER | NEXT CHAPTER

PAIRING(S): zhongli x f! reader + diluc x f! wife! reader

SUMMARY: As the wife of the famous big shot in the wine industry, you have everything you could ever ask for — a beautiful mansion, endless wealth, servants at your beck and call... However, you lack the one thing you yearn for: love. With your beloved husband neglecting you and being stuck in a loveless marriage, you decide to end it all, only to be stopped by a man whom you have never met before, and who also coincidentally happens to be your soulmate. In addition, there just might seem to be more than what meets the eye in regards to your peculiar soulmate, and you just might have to find that out for yourself.

CW(S)/TW(S): contains mentions of suicide attempts

TAGLIST (italicised blogs are unable to be tagged, pls dm me with your updated username): @crescentmoonnn + @deeomi + @esthelily + @holaseniorahoe + @loving-august + @mshope16 + @needsleep3000 + @nerdiel-has-no-braincells + @saintbernardthethird + @seyboo + @thelonelyarchon

A/N: apologies for the wait, uni has been kicking my ass (i'm in my final year of bachelor's rn! wahoo!) which made my brain go to a stalemate for a while. bUTTT i've recently finished tale of the nine-tailed which caused my brain to spur into action again (everyone say thanku to lee dongwook)! without further ado, pls enjoy!

You were presently seated in the Third-Round Knockout, a Liyuen restaurant which was famed for its gorgeous dishes which had a mouth-watering taste. Zhongli was seated diagonally across you to your left and Ajax in front of you. It was an odd combination, really, having a meal together with your business associate and your soulmate in a fancy, high-end restaurant.

From the corner of your eye, you notice Zhongli's direct gaze on you. It was zeroed in on you, making it seem like he was scrutinising every square inch of your face, and yet it made you feel warm all over, making you feel... embarrassed, somehow? You could only take small sips out of your cup of tea, careful as to not burn your tongue.

(Your tongue, or your cheeks, either one was applicable in this situation.)

"Are you familiar with Mr. Zhongli's practice, Mrs. Ragnvindr?"

Ajax's voice pulled you out of your thoughts.

"I'm afraid not." Oh no, was your mind preoccupied with other thoughts while Ajax was talking? "Could you elaborate on it?"

"I should let Mr. Zhongli do the talking instead," Ajax said, "It's better for him to explain his job scope."

"I am a consultant at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlour," Zhongli spoke, "And I simply give people suggestions on how to proceed with their funeral preparations and which packages would best suit their needs. We have a variety of packages for everyone's needs, thanks to Director Hu's business-savvy mindset."

"I wouldn't have expected you to be a funeral parlour consultant," you said, smiling candidly at him, "If anything, I thought you would be an art museum director of sorts."

"He does look the part, doesn't he?" Ajax said with a laugh, "I once mistook him as a CEO of some sort the first time I met him."

"Oh, I understand what you mean," you laughed, "It's in the way he carries himself."

"And the fancy choice of words, too," Ajax chimed in, "That's not all: he's so unusually knowledgeable about every topic!"

"You flatter me," Zhongli shook his head with a smile, "I simply have a good memory."

"Excellent memory, you mean," Ajax corrected him almost immediately, "Anyone would kill for that kind of brainpower. Remember the time you gave advice to that one Fontanian guy who pivoted into film-making? He immediately made a whole lot of money with his debut film!"

You raised your eyebrows. If Zhongli was even adept at advising a novice filmmaker, perhaps he had some good suggestions for your new business plan you had in mind.

"Mr. Zhongli," the dark-haired man immediately turned his head towards your direction as soon as you called his name, "If you would be so kind, I would like to hear your opinion on my business plan."

He straightened his back slightly and interlaced his fingers together, interest piqued as his entire body was turned to face you as he spoke, "Sure, I am all ears."

"This is the business plan I had in mind, which is in collaboration with the Fatui Network..." You launched into your spiel, mapping out the business plan you had in mind (which all of the details had already been discussed with Ajax beforehand), and Zhongli listened attentively. After you were done speaking, there was a brief moment of silence.

"This is indeed a well thought-out plan, but could I make a few minor suggestions?" Zhongli asked.

You nodded, "Please feel free to do so, the floor is yours."

Zhongli began to speak his mind, pointing out what particular flaws and loopholes your business plan might have concerning your consumer base in a respectful and straightforward manner, and what particular negative repercussions might be incurred. You thought Ajax was bluffing when he said Zhongli was insightful; Zhongli was pretty much a wise sage speaking with all the knowledge Teyvat could possibly even offer. If he were a movie character, he would be the wise old pilgrim living at the top of some snowy, out-of-reach mountain that the main character had to climb for months just to reach him.

"...That is all I have to offer, and you might want to take my thoughts with a grain of salt," Zhongli concluded his verbalised thoughts, picking up his teacup again.

"No, what you've just said makes complete sense," you shook your head, "I'll adjust a couple of points on my end. Thank you for your insight, it was really helpful!"

As if right in cue, the food that Ajax had ordered arrived and was served on the table.

"Let's dig in, shall we?" Ajax grinned, and you mirrored his smile and dug your chopsticks into your bowl of noodles as a response.

Ajax left as soon as brunch concluded, scurrying off to pay for the meal first and apologising for leaving first due to urgent business matters.

So that left you and Zhongli alone, standing outside the restaurant.

"Are you heading back to the hotel, Mrs. Ragnvindr?" Zhongli asked, hands situated round his back.

The sun was shining in the sky, but it was not unbearably hot. On the contrary, it was warm and inviting, perfect for an afternoon walk.

You shook your head, "I was planning to go for a stroll. Would you like to join me?"

The man smiled as his eyes softened, "It would be my pleasure."

You and Zhongli walked along the roads of Liyue's capital, taking in the bustling chatter of people and the busy city life. Vehicles were whirring past the both of you, and the rays of the sun ricochetted off the glass panels of the buildings. Somehow, doing something as simple as going on a promenade was much more fulfilling than doing work back home.

"Oh, look! Roadside stalls!" your eyes brightened as you spotted a couple of stalls set up by the road, with old women managing them and selling a variety of trinkets. Without hesitation, you made a beeline towards the stalls, eyes scanning through the products on display. Zhongli joined you soon after, peering past your shoulder to peruse through the items on sale.

"It's nice to see you, Zhongli," a welcoming, gentle voice spoke, causing both you and Zhongli to look up. It was an old woman with her silver hair tied up into a low bun, and a pair of round-rimmed spectacles perched on her nose.

"The pleasure is mine, Street — ahem, Madam Ping," Zhongli returned the greeting.

"Ah, and who's this young lady you've brought along with you?" Madam Ping's eyes shifted over to you, and for a split second, you could see some sort of surprised expression in her eyes. However, it was fleeting and was quickly replaced by a warm gaze and a complementary, friendly smile.

"She is an... acquaintance of mine," Zhongli explained.

"It's nice to meet you," you smiled and gave a little bow (It's customary in Liyuen tradition for younger people to bow in greeting to the older folk, you remembered), then refocused your gaze on the items on display, "You have wonderful wares on display, ma'am."

"Take your pick, child," Madam Ping smiled, then bent over to whisper, "As Zhongli's friend, you're entitled to take one for free."

Your eyes widened into the size of saucers, "Oh, no, I can't do that! You're running a business here; I wouldn't want to make you lose any profit!"

"I insist," Madam Ping shook her head, then nodded towards Zhongli, "He doesn't have a whole lot of friends, so I'm happy to know he's made a new one. I guess you can say this is a little bribe from me to convince you to stay friends with him."

While you really thought you should not be imposing and picking out something for free, you knew you would offend this sweet old lady if you turned her offer down. With a smile and dejected shake of your head, you said, "Alright, then."

Madam Ping brightened almost immediately and you went about the stall, browsing through the wares, discreetly looking at the price tags and trying to pick the cheapest one so that you would not be the first step into driving this poor woman into bankruptcy (or whatever it would be).

Madam Ping shifted over to Zhongli and lowered her voice down to a whisper, "So, it seems you've found her again in this life."

Zhongli hummed.

"This is her last life, isn't it?"

Zhongli nodded, a bittersweet smile taking over his features.

Madam Ping studied his facial expression before speaking again, "You don't seem that happy to know that she's one step closer to reuniting with you."

Zhongli shook his head, "I am beyond delighted to know that she is not too far from reincarnating again and spending her next life forever with me, but..." Zhongli frowned before continuing, "I cannot help but wonder if that is exactly what she wants in her next life is all."

Madam Ping mirrored Zhongli's expression, but in a curious manner, "What makes you say that?"

"I was never her lover in any of her past incarnations," Zhongli explain in a slow manner, as if recalling an archaic tale from long ago, "I had always been a friend, a companion to her. In one of those lives, she told me that she never wanted to live her life like that, having me by her side."

He could remember it as clear as day. The day he saved you from drowning, his body completely drenched in seawater. The fabric of his clothes was clinging to his skin and his hair was tousled and damp. Your skin was pale and your lower lip was trembling, but most importantly, your eyes were filled with tears and you were hitting his body repeatedly.

"Why did you save me?" you wept as your fists struck his chest weakly, "You should've just left me to die!"

"I would never want to see you give up on yourself," he whispered as he swept a stray lock of hair out of your face.

You lowered your head and gripped his clothes, "Did it never occur to you that this was not the life that I wanted?" You raised your head to look at him directly in the eye, a sort of sad fury burning behind your eyes, "In this life, or in any other life, I've never wanted you by my side."

It was a painful yet memorable moment that haunted him every waking hour. Perhaps he had been wrong to even make that contract in the first place. All of this happened because of his selfish desire to see you again, to meet you again, to just stand by your side for another day. He had never once thought about what you wanted. And so, that day woke him up from his self-centered fantasy and caused him to question all his choices. Maybe he should have just let you leave and not hold you back. Perhaps that was what you wanted in the very beginning.

Madam Ping frowned, "I'm sure that's not what she meant. You know she's got a tender spot for you."

Zhongli lowered his head and stared at his gloved hands, "I hope that holds true, Streetward Rambler."

"Ma'am! I've found something!" your voice plucked the two old friends out of their little bubble of conversation, and both of them turned to look at you. You were waving at them, a smile in place as your other hand was holding something small in your palm. You looked so carefree and happy, and Zhongli could only hope you would stay this way forever.

"Don't worry too much, Rex Lapis," Madam Ping whispered as she gave the man a gentle pat on the arm, "I know she wouldn't blame you for your choices."

As the old woman walked off to talk to you and package your procured item into a small wooden box, Zhongli could only hope and pray that Madam Ping's words rang true.

[lovelynim]

I saw you wrote for chilluc once and i wanted to ask for the "tools/toys" prompt with lee diluc, if possible

also congratulations for reach the 500 followers milestone!! you deserve it all and much more!

Dangerous Collection

Genshin Impact - Childe x Diluc

[500 Followers Milestone Event - "Tools/Toys"]

A/N: Sooo, i got this 2 requests with ChilLuc for the event and decided to focus on the first one, but I added some bits of prompt into it, heheh

Summary: Childe is giving Diluc a tour through his house and decides to show his collection of weapons, but one particular object catches the couple's attention.

Word count: 1641 words

This wasn’t the first time Diluc visited a wealthy home, but, still, this was at a totally different level from whatever the nobles at Mondstat were up to. Tartaglia - or “Childe”, as he would present himself - would constantly tell him to not worry about the bill or the price of some gift whenever they hung out, so the redheaded assumed he was, well, rich.

Rich was an understatement.

“I hope you don’t think I'm trying to make it up for something else,” Childe said cockly, feeling his ego being fed by Diluc’s expressions of awe and surprise whenever they walked into a new room of his stupidly huge house.

The other man sighed, trying to ignore the second meaning hidden in those words. Shaking his head, he gave the ginger a slight smile. “The only thing I’m thinking about is if you ever feel lonely at a place this big,” he teased as he continued to walk, admiring the rather luxurious furniture.

“Nah,” Childe scoffed, following his partner around, “There are some people that help me take care of it and… you’ve been coming over more often, I don’t get lonely at all ~” Childe mused, catching Diluc off guard with a sudden hug from behind. The ginger rested his chin on the other’s shoulder, amusing himself as he watched Diluc shiver and his cheeks turn into a faint pink.

Before the silence completely surrounded them, Childe clicked his tongue, letting go of the other man and taking a few steps ahead. “Wait, there is one more room I want to show you,” the enthusiasm in his voice was clear as he reached out for Diluc’s hand with a smile on his face.

Being nearly dragged across the stupidly large hallway, Diluc tried to keep up with the fatui’s pace, “c-can’t you slow down a little?” He chuckled, following the man around his house. 

A couple steps ahead, the ginger stopped in front of some kind of fancy door. It seemed a little heavier than the others in the house and, when Diluc looked at the lock, it was sturdier and thicker as well.

“Tartaglia,” Diluc muttered, staring at the door knob and feeling the ominous aura that seemed to come from behind that door.

“Yes?”

“What’s in there?”

Childe smirked, placing his hand on the knob and looking over his shoulder. “Nothing much… just my collection ~” And with a move of his wrist, he pushed the door open. “Ladies and handsome men first,” he muttered as Diluc walked by, making the redhead roll his eyes.

Inside the room, different shelves, racks and stands held… weapons. Thousands - maybe more - of them. Bows, spears, swords, knives - all kinds of deadly devices displayed in some kind of exposition.

“I-is this your collection? Weapons?” Diluc said, taking some slow steps deep inside the room. “There is probably enough weaponry here to start a war, Tartaglia,” he continued, turning back to the man standing on the door.

The ginger smiled, gently caressing the sharp edge of a spear that was near him. “Most of those are dull already. As I said, it’s just my collection, not my personal arsenal,” he smiled, noticing how the others continued to look around.

Diluc was no expert, but he could tell how some of those were way older than they looked - especially some old editions of the Knights of Favonius’s weapons. Rich people were really… eccentric, he thought. 

While letting his eyes wander over the weapons displayed nearby, Diluc found one in particular that caught his attention.

“Tartaglia,” he called, looking back to the ginger, who quickly sprinted over him.

“Yes?”

“What’s… that weapon for?” The redhead pointed out towards one of the shelves, directly towards a feather duster. The harbinger blinked a few times, looking to his partner before looking back at the object. Was he for real? Or was he just fooling around? He knew Diluc could be a little dense sometimes, but that…

One of the servants that worked on the house must’ve left that after cleaning the room, which was a reasonable excuse, but to mistake it for some kind of weapon? Tartaglia let out an audible chuckle, amused by the other’s obliviousness. “Don’t you recognize it, ‘Luc?”

The comment made his cheek turn into a shade of red clone to the one of his hair, crossing his arms in annoyance and looking away. “I-it looks just like a duster to me, but you have all the kind of stuff in here so…”

Childe rolled his eyes. Well, he was not that dense, after all, but there was still some room to mess with him. The ginger walked over the shelf, picking up the feather duster. “So you really don’t know it,” he muttered, turning back to Diluc as he used the wand part to lightly tap on his hand. “This is one of the most dangerous weapons I have in here.”

The seriousness in his voice made Diluc shiver. Childe didn’t seem to be kidding about it, and that only made him even more curious about that “weapon”. It looked so harmless, just like any other duster, maybe it was some kind of disguise to its actual power?

Childe’s smile grew wider when the other seemed to take the bait. So innocent… “Want me to show you how it works?” 

“R-right now?” Diluc gasped, snapping back from his trance, “but isn’t it dangerous?”

“Did you forget who I am? There is no weapon in Teyvat that I didn’t mast-”

“Except bows.”

Childe’s eyebrow twitched, letting out a disappointed sigh while Diluc let out a small laugh at him. “Fine, almost no weapon in Teyvat that I didn’t master. So, do you want me to show it to you or not?”

“Hmm,” Diluc pretended to wonder, trying to make some suspense. He knew how much Childe loved to show himself out and brag about his combat skills - which seemed to be the case this time - so it was a simple matter if he was going to entertain him or not. “I don’t kno-”

“Oh please, don’t be a killjoy, will you?”

Diluc chuckled, smiling while Childe pouted at his teasing. “Very well… show me how it works, then.”

His eyes sparkled as the redhead finally said the words he wanted to hear. Barely able to hold the mischievous intentions inside any longer. Quickly wrapping his arm around Diluc’s chest, the ginger pulled him closer in a swift move, making the redhead gasp in surprise.

“W-what are you doing?” He tried to protest as Childe held his wrists together with one hand, attempting to squirm off the other’s grip with no avail.

“Didn’t you ask for a demonstration, hm?” The other said cockly, using his free hand to slowly rail Diluc’s shirt up, exposing his bare midriff. With a half confused, half embarrassed look, the redhead tried to understand what all that was about. “Let me show how deadly this ‘weapon’ can be, ‘Luc”

“W-wait- ahah! T-Tahahartaglia!” Diluc gasped, pressing his eyes shut as the first giggles burst through his lips. With his free hand, Childe used the feather duster to gently caress Diluc’s exposed skin, covering those sensitive spots with the ticklish and gentle touch.

Keeping the redhead firmly in place and his hands out of the way, Childe chuckled along, alternating between quick strokes and slow traces, letting the feathers do their job and amusing himself with Diluc’s laughter. “Isn’t it great? Some may call it a merciless tool, but I find it to be such an amazing weapon…” He talked into the other’s ear, letting his breath tease his sensitive ear, finding adorable the way Diluc tried to scrunch up his shoulders to protect himself.

He should have predicted something like this, it hurt his pride to think he let himself fall for such a stupid explanation. Of course it was just a feather duster, not some kind of ancient weapon. “E-ehehenough nohohonsense!”

“Nonsense? Is that what you have to say about my collection, ‘Luc? I’m offended…” Childe mused, pulling his partner into an even tighter hug as he nuzzled against his cheek, showering him with brief kisses as the feathers were making him laugh his head off. “If you apologize… Maybe I can show you some mercy, what do you say?” 

“F-fihihine!” Diluc gasped when the feathers trailed over his stomach, trying to suck it in to avoid the soft caresses. “I’m sohohorry!”

“For what?”

“F-fohohor- agh, stahahAhahap!” He shook his head, his knees wanting to give him and drop his body to the floor, but Childe was putting up some effort in keeping him in place, leaving him no room to run to. “F-for cahahalling it nohohonsenseheh!”

“Hmmm… and what do you have to say about my weapon? ~” Childe continued, not wanting to spoil the fun just yet.

“T-Tartahahglia! Plehehease!” Diluc cried, throwing his head back in a fit of laughter as the ginger used the feathers on his side.

“Come on,” the other replied, grinning as he kissed Diluc’s cheek again before slowly sliding his lips close to his ear. “You can give it at least one compliment, right? You can do it… or are you that ticklish, ‘Luc?”

Those words sent a shiver down the redhead’s back. His cheeks burned in a bright shade of red - an adorable one, if you asked Childe - and he had no option but to submit. “N-nohohoh! I-it’s great! Ahaha, okahahay?!”

“Alright, alright… I’ll let you slide off this one easily,” Childe said, lowering the feathers, but keeping Diluc’s wrists held together. 

“A-ahah… a-aren’t you going to l-let me go?” 

“So soon, ‘Luc?” Childe grinned like a predator staring at his prey, leaning his face close to Diluc’s - close enough to feel the heat from his blushing cheeks - brushing his lips against his. “I’m not quite done with you…”

“W-what do yo- aHAha, T-TartaHAHaglia!! NohOHOH!””

[ticklystuff]

Day 6: Cuddles (Ten more minutes with xiangsheng)

a/n: ler!childe, lee!zhongli — from the augtickletober2024 list!

———

Sunlight poured through the curtains, washing over the overly cuddly duo, their bodies not only heavily mixed in with the sheets, but themselves, an amalgamation of limbs and pieces unrecognizable at first glance. And the first to stir fluttered his eyes, acclimating to the soft glow of sun presiding over the room, allowing its embrace to roll across his skin. With a groan, Zhongli breathed a heavy sigh, ready to wipe the sleep from his eyes, only to realize his arms were locked in place, squished to his body by.. a different kind of embrace.

"Uhhg, hah... Ajax," came the low grumble, a stark difference from the composed voice he wielded so well. The other was gripping him so tightly, his chest practically glued to Zhongli's back, arms wrapped as if Zhongli was in danger of rolling off the bed. Zhongli could feel the steady exhales tickling the back of his neck, prompting him to shift his head, though this didn't alleviate the issue.

"Ajax," Zhongli called softly, yet still no response. He himself was an early riser, but Ajax was something else, often rising before the crack of dawn to get his daily exercise in. If Zhongli managed to step out of bed before he could return, a piping cup of ginger tea would be awaiting his return, but if Ajax made it back first, Zhongli could expect to be greeted with a hearty breakfast. It was very unlike the other to still be in bed at this hour and Zhongli started to worry if he might be ill.

In an attempt to free himself, Zhongli gave a little push to his arms, exerting force against Ajax's own, only for the opposing arms to constrict Zhongli's body in tighter embrace, pushing back against Zhongli's arms.

So he was awake.

"Ajax," this time with his usual tone. There was no doubt the ginger could hear him now.

"Mmmmm.."

"Come now, let's not waste the morning."

"You came home late.."

So that's what this was about. It wasn't as if it was planned; long nights at the funeral parlor were sparse, but not unheard of. And to reward themselves a day's hard work, per Director Hu's recommendation, the two went took to Third-Round Knockout for the night, drinking through the late hours as Zhongli listened to his boss with his nonsensical rambling. Upon arriving home, a lukewarm bowl of soup was left for him on the counter and Childe was already passed out in the bedroom, body sprawled out over the mattress, to which Zhongli took to tucking himself under his arm when he too was ready to retire for the night.

And now, he found himself caught in between both arms.

"Sorry, Ajax," Zhongli craned his neck in an attempt to face the other. He'd pat the ruffled mess of hair.. if only he had control of his arms. "Had to stay out late last night."

No response.

"Perhaps," Zhongli drew out, mentally thumbing through solutions to appeal to the moody ginger, "we can walk to the farmers' market together?" Yeah, that should work. Ajax loved the farmers' market, always finding himself excited over the constant array of new things he'd find, or different ingredients he could use to cook with, and Zhongli loved watching him. It'd be a good time.

There was a shift in the sheets and a low whine from behind Zhongli and for a brief moment, Zhongli figured his offer might've worked.

"Ten more minutes."

Zhongli wasn't quite sure how to feel about this; five minutes would've been acceptable, but ten? A bit excessive in his book.

"How about five?" he bargained.

"Mm-mm," Zhongli could make out the sound of him shaking his head. "Ten."

"Ajax.." Zhongli knew this game. Ten minutes he'd push for, which would then become fifteen, then twenty.. Zhongli wasn't falling for it.

He opened his mouth to push back, but a sudden sensation stopped him in his tracks, caught in his throat to produce a mishap mixture of a grunt and a gasp.

And then a second kiss. "Do you not like me anymore, xiansheng? Is that why you didn't come home last night? Why you want to leave me now too?"

And then a third and fourth kiss. "N-Nohoho," was all he could utter, gaspy giggles spilling out as he attempted to scrunch his neck, feeling Ajax's lips meander against his skin.

Fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth. "Or maybe you're seeing someone else, hm? Another harbinger? Is it because I'm only number eleven? Who is it? Dottore, Scaramouche, Capitano?"

This made no sense; he didn't even know of these people or their existence, but Zhongli could barely argue back, Childe's fingers now pressing into his stomach and sides, forcing Zhongli to curl up and attempt a fetal position, only for Ajax's legs to now wrap around his own.

"Or is it a normal civilian? That would make it easy for me," Childe giggled with mischief. "I could stop them from seeing you— snap their arms, maim their legs, maybe even use them as a snack for my old friend, Osial."

"NahaHAHAhaha, Ajahahax! Okay, okahahahay!" The combination of rather morbid humor and tickling, both from Ajax's fingers and kisses, were enough to finally create an outburst of laughter and Zhongli wiggled around as much as he could, but the ginger had made his stance clear— they weren't leaving this bed.

"So, ten minutes?" Ajax had quit with the tickling this time, choosing to nuzzle his nose into the side of Zhongli's neck instead.

The cheek. "Alright, alright, ten more minutes."

"Can we make it fifteen?

"Ajax.."

"Okay, xiansheng, ten more minutes."

[onyanjune]

Thinking of men who wear muscle tees underneath oversized hoodies or sweaters. The duality of “the comfiest lover who gives the best hugs” and “the guy who will absolutely demolish his foes on the battlefield and his s/o in bed”.

isagi yoichi ┊͙ itoshi rin ┊͙ itoshi sae ┊͙ michael kaiser ┊͙ nagi seishiro ┊͙ kunigami rensuke ┊͙ lilia vanrouge ┊͙ sebek zigvolt ┊͙ jack howl ┊͙ lee jeno (the man who started it all) ┊͙tartaglia ajax childe ┊͙ al-haitham ┊͙ wriothesley ┊͙ jing yuan ┊͙ dan heng ┊͙ stark ┊͙ gojo satoru ┊͙ fushiguro toji ┊͙ getou suguru ┊͙ your faves ˘͈ᵕ˘͈ (i only listed down the first few dudes i could think of)